Recreational jouncing apparatus with vertical supports and removable board travel stops

ABSTRACT

An assembable jouncing apparatus having a pair of portable and adjustable stanchions selectively positionable in space relation and operative to support a board therebetween at selective distances from the ground or floor; each stanchion including a board supporting member operative to receive and transmit maximum vertical and minimal horizontal force components to the stanchions from the board as it is downwardly deflected therebetween. The board being loosely retained between the stanchions by removable devices secure at each end portion of the board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed toward recreation devices commonly referred toas jouncing boards. Generally a resilient board made of wood or even offiberglass construction is disposed between space apart supports and aperson jounces at the center region of the board causing it to deflectand rebound. If the board is merely placed on block or the like itsmotion during use will cause it to move off the block, requiring it tobe replaced periodically. Also if the supporting blocks are not securedto the ground or floor the forces transmitted by the board to thesupporting blocks together with the boards movement during deflectionwill cause the blocks to creep and move requiring them to continuallyreposition.

Others have directed attention to providing a board being securelyfastened at each end to a structure having members that pivot ordisplace to accomodate the boards movement during deflection. Onedisadvantage is that such a structure is bulky to transport and store.Also with such a structure the distance between the place at which theboard is secure is fixed and the board itself cannot easily be replacedwith other boards of different jouncing characteristics.

A general object of the invention is to provide a jouncing apparatuswhich loosely retains a jouncing board between portable stanchions thedistance between which can be selected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a jouncing apparatus whichis easily assembled and disassembled for storage and transportation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a jouncingapparatus which is adjustable to selectively position the board atvarious distances from the floor or ground.

A still other further object of the invention is to provide a supportingmember for each stanchion which provides a sliding surface for the boardand is operative to minimize the horizontal and maximize the verticalcomponent of forces to the stanchions from the board as it is downwardlydeflected during use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide devices removablysecured to each end portion of the board effective to loosely retain theboard in spanning relation between the stanchions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide that the jouncingboard can be easily interchanged with other jouncing boards of differentjouncing characteristics.

The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention will beapparent from the following more particular description of the preferredembodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the novel jouncing apparatus withthe center portion of the jouncing board cut away;

FIG. 2 is a view taken substantially at line 2--2 of FIG. 1 and showingthe jouncing board in section view and a portion of one of the supportmeans in elevation view;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus takensubstantially at line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of that portion of theapparatus shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a view taken substantially at line 5--5 of FIG. 1 and showingthe jouncing board in sectional view in a jouncing board retainingdevice in elevational view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning attention to FIG. 1, the invention generally designated 10 isshown in assembled mode.

As seen in FIG. 1, the invention comprises a pair of support means,generally designated 12, a jouncing board 13 and a pair of boardretaining means, generally designated 14. It is pointed out at this timethat each of the support means 12 are substantially identical andtherefore the same number will be used in the designation andidentification of similar and corresponding parts; also the descriptionhereinafter set forth will apply to each. The above method ofdesignation and description will also apply to the retaining means 14.

Describing in the invention in detail and having particular referencesto the support means 12, attention is directed to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Thesupport means 12 comprises a frame member 16 of generally rectangularshape having top, bottom and opposing side walls designated 17, 18, 19and 20 respectively. A hub 22 is secured to the lower center portion ofthe bottom wall 18 by welding or other means well known to those skilledin the art. The hub 22 receives the upper end of an upright cylindricaltube 23 and is fastened thereto by set screw 24. The lower portion ofthe support means 12 comprises a base 28 having a tubular uprightportion 29 extending downwardly to merge with four outwardly extending,and substantially identical feet 30 which are spaced apart atsubstantially 90 degree intervals. At the end and bottom portion of eachfoot is secured a rubber pad 31 which is operative to retard movement ofbase 28 during use of the jouncing apparatus. The lower end of thecylindrical tube 23 is received into the tubular portion 29 intelescoping relation. The cylindrical tube 23 has a series of holes 33spaced apart along its length and extending therethrough. These holes 33each can selectively receive a pin 34 (FIG. 2). The pin 34 at one endhas a head 35 and a hole at the other end thereof to receive a cotterpin 36, or the like, to secure the pin 34 in the selected hole. It canbe seen that the frame member 16 can thereby be selectively positionedat a plurality of selected heights relative to the floor or ground.

A padding 40 is secured by adhesive to the inner portion of the top wall17 of frame member 16. This padding 40 cushions the impact of thejouncing board 13 on the top wall 17 during recoil of the board 13 whenit is flexing in an upward direction.

One of the novel features of the instant invention is seen in the FIGS.1 through 3 the jouncing board 13 is supported on a supporting member44. The member 44 in cross sectional view has a curved configurationincluding a flat apex surface area 45 which merges into substantiallyidentical curved surface areas 46 and 47 defining edge portions thereat.It can be seen that the board 13 at rest is substantially in contactwith the entire flat apex surface 45. However, upon downward deflectionof the board (FIG. 3) the board rocks downwardly onto the curved surface47 (or 46 depending on the positioning of the support means 12). Whenthis occurs the forces transmitted to the support means 12 by the board13 are transferred along a line substantially perpendicular to thetangent of the curve portion 47 at the point where the board 13 is incontact with the surface 47 (or 46). The vector diagram of FIG. 3 showsthe force F transmitted to the support member together with thehorizontal and vertical components thereof, designated H and Vrespectively. It can be observed that such a configuration in thesupporting member 12 provides that the vertical force component V willremain substantially larger as compared to horizontal force component Hduring anticipated magnitudes of deflection during operation. Thisminimal horizontal force component during operation assures stabilityand reduces and will practically eliminate creeping of the support meansduring normal operation.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the support member described inFIG. 3. This support member is designated 44' with a substantiallycurved apex surface 45'. As in FIG. 3 the curved surfaces 46' and 47'extending from the apex 44' are each substantially identically curvedsuch that the support means can be positioned at 180 degree intervalswithout change in operation. The function and operation of thisembodiment is substantially the same as that described in the embodimentof FIG. 3.

The board 13 generally would be of wood having the general dimensions ofabout 11/4 inches thick by 12 inches wide by 12 to 14 feet long.However, boards of different thickness, widths, lengths and materialcould be used depending on the size of the operators or the amount ofjouncing action desired. The instant invention can accomodate any numberof boards of different sizes and materials with requiring modificationof the apparatus.

The board 13, as shown in FIG. 1, is retained in support positionbetween the support means 12 by means of the board retaining means 14,one of each is fastened at opposite end portions of the board. Theretaining means comprises a block 50 having a transversesemi-cylindrical groove 51 in the outward portion thereof and locatedoff-center relative to the length thereof as shown in FIG. 5. At one endof the block 50 is a slat 52 which receives a flexible strap 53. Thestrap 53 is threaded through the slat 52 and is secured to itself by arivet 54. It can be seen that this forms a loop which flexibly retainsthat end of the strap 53 to the block 50. The other end of the strap 53loops about pin 56 which is secured to a handle 57 at spaced relation tothe end thereof. Here again this end of the strap 53 is secured toitself by bolt 58. At one end of the handle 57 is secured a cylindricalpivot member 59 in normal relation thereto and is of such dimension tosnugly fit in the groove 51 of the block 50. A rubber bumper 60 issecured to the strap 53, by gluing or other means well known to thoseskilled in the art at a location on the outward surface of the strap 53such that when the retaining means 14 is clamped about the board 13 thebumper is positioned substantially over the upper surface of the board13. It can be seen in FIG. 5 that the retaining means 14 operates as atoggle device which can be slipped over the end of the board 13. Thepivot member 59 is then placed in the groove 51 of the block 50 and thehandle 57 is rotated about as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5. It can beseen that when the handle 57 is rotated to its full extent the strap 53is drawn tightly about the board 13 and secured thereto. It can beappreciated that toggle operation as hereinbefore described secures theretaining means 14 about the board 13 until the handle 57 is manuallyrotated to its original position. Also the handle end of the strap 53has a series of spaced-apart holes 62 which can receive the bolt 58thereby providing for lengthing or shortening the effective length ofthe strap 53 to accomodate boards of varying dimensions.

In operation the support means 12 are placed in aligned spaced apartrelation as shown in FIG. 1. If a particular height is desired this canbe easily adjusted by removing member 34 and either raising or loweringthe frame member 16 as hereinbefore described. The board 13 is insertedthrough each frame member 14 and positioned on each supporting member44. Then on each end portion of the board 13 is secured the boardretaining means 14 in a manner as hereinbefore described. The jouncingapparatus is now ready for use.

During use the operator jounces on the center portions of the board. Asthe board deflects it can easily move and ride along each of thesupporting members and yet because of their configuration the forcestransmitted thereto are substantially vertical in direction.

Also it can be readily appreciated that after use the instant apparatuscan easily be disassembled for transporting and storage; with suchtaking up minimal space. It should also be noted that jouncing boardshaving different jouncing characteristics are desired, these can beinterchanged quickly and easily.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention has beenchosen for the purposes of illustration and description herein is thatpreferred based upon requirements for achieving the objects of theinvention and developing the utility thereof in a most desirable manner.It will be understood, that the particular structure and functionalaspect emphasized herein are not intended exclude but rather to suggestother such modifications and adaptations as fall within spirit and scopeof the invention as hereinbefore described.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assemblable jouncing apparatus comprising:ajouncing board; a pair of support means effective to loosely supportsaid board above the ground, each engaging said board in supportingrelation at selected distances from the ends thereof; each said supportmeans including a supporting member having a configuration definingsupporting surfaces upon which said board longitudinally moves duringdownward deflection thereof; said support means including a supportmember having an arcuate board engaging surface so that the downwardvertical component of force transmitted by said board to each saidsupport member during said deflection are substantially larger thanhorizontal component of same force; and removable board retaining meansselectively disposed and positionable on said board at locationsadjacent the board support means to retain said board in supportingrelation between said support means while users are jouncing.
 2. Theinvention as recited in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises aframe member having upper and lower portions defining an aperture forreceiving an end portion of the board therethrough, and said supportingmember disposed within said aperture.
 3. The invention as recited inclaim 2 wherein said supporting member is disposed on the lower portionof said frame member, and said supporting surfaces comprising a flatapex portion and curved surface portions flanking and extendingdownwardly from said apex portion wherein said board rests on said apexportion and rides on to one of said curved surface portions duringdownward deflection of said board.
 4. The invention as recited in claim2 wherein said supporting member is disposed on the lower portion ofsaid frame member, and said supporting surfaces comprising a curved apexportion and curved surface portions flanking and extending downwardlyfrom said apex portion and rides unto one of said curved surfaceportions during downward deflection of said board.
 5. The invention asrecited in claim 2 wherein said supporting means includes a base and anupright member secured at one end thereof to said frame member, saidupright member and said base having interacting means to effect theselective positioning of said frame member at a plurality of heightsabove the ground.
 6. The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein saidbase and said upright member are operatively disposed in telescopingrelation, and said interacting means operative to selectively limit thetelescoping disposition of said base and upright member.
 7. Theinvention as recited in claim 2 wherein said retaining means comprise apair of toggle actuated devices, each said device comprising a flexibleretainer and a toggle mechanism connected to said retainer, each deviceselectively clampable on respective end portions of said board.
 8. Ajouncing apparatus comprising:a jouncing board; a pair of substantiallyidentical support means selectively positionable on the ground in spacedapart relation and operative to support said board in space relationabove the ground; each support means comprising a support memberengaging said board, and each said support member comprises surfacesupon which said board rests and rides upon during said deflection, saidsurfaces effective to produce said vertical and horizontal forcecomponents transmitted by said board to said support means; and saidsurfaces comprise a flat apex surface and curved side surfaces definingedge portions thereat, said curved surfaces extending downwardly fromsaid apex in flanking relation thereto wherein said board rests on saidapex surface and rides onto one of said edge portions during downwarddeflection of said board, whereby said support member is effective totransmit a force exerted by said board to said support means duringdownward deflection thereof such that the vertical component of thatforce transmitted has a downward direction and is substantially largerthan the horizontal component on that same force whereby the selectiveposition of said support means is stabilized, and retaining meansselectively disposed in engaging relation on said board and operative toprevent longitudinal movement of said board off said support means. 9.The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said retaining means isoperative to loosely retain said board in supporting relation betweensaid support means.
 10. The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein saidsupport means includes means to selectively position said jouncing boardin a plurality of space related positions above the ground.
 11. Theinvention as recited in claim 8 wherein said retaining means comprise apair of toggle actuated devices, each said device comprising a flexibleretainer and a toggle mechanism connected to said retainer, each deviceselectively clampable on respective end portions of said board.